When it comes to buying gifts for your favorite woodworker, are you completely stuck? Maybe you’re unsure of what they need, or what they’ll actually use without duplicating their current tools. I’ve been there before (Hi, Kathleen here!) and I’m here to help you with an easy, thoughtful gift guide for any occasion!
Most of the items on this list will work for all woodworkers, in any type of shop. We personally own everything listed below, so there’s no junk included. I’ve featured a variety of price ranges and have thrown in explanations that’ll hopefully help you narrow down what your particular woodworker will love most!
Small Gift/Stocking Stuffer Ideas
1- Stanley FatMax Tape Measure– No matter how many tape measures they have, they can always use an amazing new one. This one glides smoothly, holds tight where you set it, and is easy to read. It’s the first one we both grab for in the shop!
2- Milwaukee Fastback Utility Knife– Same rule applies here as the tape measure rule above…you can never have too many utility knives! This one is high quality, small enough to carry in a pocket, and never jams when it’s time to get cutting.
3- Rockler Glue Brush– Every woodworker uses glue, so you might as well make it a cleaner, simpler process with this silicone glue brush. Easy to clean and far better than using scrap pieces of cardboard!
4- Firm Grip Gloves– Tough, flexible, and lightweight, these gloves are perfect for hauling wood. Grab 2 pairs, one for their shop and one for their truck!
Mid-Range Gift Ideas
5- ISOtunes PRO Bluetooth Earplug Headphones– The perfect way to jam out to tunes while protecting your ears from loud machinery, these Bluetooth earplug headphones are a PERFECT gift idea! Mike uses these daily in the shop and can even answer calls that come through without having to stop working and pick up his phone.
6- Funny Woodworking T-Shirts– Who doesn’t like a good laugh while advertising your favorite hobby? These come in several colors, men/women’s cuts, and are a unique idea your woodworker won’t already have in their shop.
7- GRR-RIPPER 3D Pushblock– This simple tool makes using table saws, router tables, bandsaws, and jointers FAR safer by keeping your hands away from the blade while adding secure pressure to your board. Easily adjustable for various cuts and materials as well.
8- Bench Brush– Every woodworker makes a wood mess. This brush will help keep work surfaces and machinery clean with a quick and easy swipe!
9- Dead Blow Hammer– I bought this exact hammer for Mike as a gift 2 years ago, and we use it for everything. A dead blow hammer has tiny pellets inside the head that help add force to every hit. Great for multiple applications in every shop!
10- Klingspor Sanding Disc Sampler Pack– Klingspor sandpaper lasts FAR longer than the majority of sandpaper you’ll find elsewhere. This sampler pack has 50 discs of various grits, meaning it’s super versatile for any project. Just make sure your woodworker has an orbital sander to use for this gift before buying! (HINT- If you’re not sure what size sandpaper to buy, the most common size of sander takes 5″x 8 hole discs. Or go sneak into the shop and measure!)
11- Carhartt Full Swing Jackets/Pants– Woodworkers need tough jackets and pants that can withstand being hit by wood (without tearing) while being flexible enough to move with them. We both have a Full Swing jacket and absolutely LOVE THEM. They’re warm, rugged, stylish, and most importantly, super flexible. Highly recommend!
12- RZ Mask– Protect their lungs from wood dust! These reusable masks are worlds better than disposables, but still lightweight. Mike wears his all day in the shop and still talks about how comfortable it is.
13- Empire Levels– Lightweight, accurate, and easy to hold, this combo pack of levels is super versatile for almost any application. A shop staple!
Big Gift Ideas
14- Delta Cruzer 12″ Miter Saw– This would be an excellent upgrade if your woodworker has an entry-level saw, or doesn’t have one at all. This one’s brand new from Delta (11/2019.)
15- Kreg Adaptive Cutting System– A great addition to any shop! Perfect for small spaces, portable, and accurate. We have a larger shop, but still use this frequently because it can accurately and safely make cuts that are otherwise cumbersome on a table saw.
16- Festool Domino– This allows a woodworker to make super strong joinery in minutes instead of hours! This means they’ll be far more likely to make you a dining table with this in their shop 😉
Unique Gift Idea
Still not sure what to get? Try gifting Woodworking Classes! Rockler offers a large variety of classes in their stores across the nation, including workshops, demonstrations, and private lessons.
Wanna make it a joint gift for you both? They also offer Make and Take classes you can attend for a fun experience together! Date night/bonding time, anyone?!
Thanks for reading, and I hope these ideas help you find the perfect gift for the woodworker in your life! If you snag one of these suggestions, make sure to tag us with #woodshopmike so we can see how excited the gift made you and your woodworker!
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Sources for photos can be found by clicking on each link provided, with the exception of #11, which is our own personal photograph.
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